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Slate flooring is a excellent option for both residential and business, giving decorators a unique and flexible material to use in their home.  Slate has many advantages, including its affordability and resilience.  A slate tile floor is made out of extremely fine material, giving it a resistance to spills.  Spills should be very easy to clean up, as slate will not absorb the moisture.  Slate is also very resistant to stains and dirt.  Simple maintenance should keep a slate floor clean with a minimum of effort.

Due to the wide spectrum of origins for slate in the natural world, it can be found in a range of shades and colors.  Slate flooring can be purchased in anything from dark charcoal shades, to powerful reds or greens.  Consumers also have a wide range of patterns to choose from when it comes to slate flooring, giving each floor a personalized appearance.  The cleft texture of slate flooring makes it incredibly tough, resisting scratches and wear.  The slate texture also provides a safe surface that won’t become slippery, making it a excellent choice for in the kitchen or work areas.

The combination of good stain resistance and anti-slip properties make slate one of the best all around kitchen appropriate flooring materials on the market.  In addition to its affordability, slate flooring benefits from a wide range of unique patterns to choose from.  Glosses can also be added to slate flooring, bringing another dynamic to its appearance.  Installation of slate flooring can be done without professional assistance, but it requires a significant investment of time and a set of tools.  A diamond bladed saw provides the sharpness to cut through slate.  Thinset must also be used in the installation, which is used to secure the tile to the underlayment.

With a smooth concrete surface, no underlayment may be required.  With hardwood subfloors, or cracked concrete, an underlayment of concrete will be required to begin the installation properly.  It is important that the right thinset be used with certain tile sets.  The thinset bonds the tile to the underlayment, and if done badly the floor can gradually begin shifting.  Be sure to have a large bucket and something to clean up mortar that spreads across tile surfaces.

Before installing slate flooring, check out the packaging of the slate tile.  Tiles can frequently end up broken after arriving at the store.  If any are broken, be sure that replacements match the original tile.